Maryland is still sitting at two commitments during the 2023 cycle, but the staff saw themselves make the cut for a top local target.
Four-star edge rusher Desmond Umeozulu announced a top nine of Clemson, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas on Saturday.
Umeozulu last visited Maryland with his mother and teammates back on March 17 as running backs coach Elijah Brooks and defensive coordinator Brian Williams have prioritized the local edge rusher. “We just keep building the relationship, I got a chance to have a real in-depth conversation with [Locksley] last visit so just got to keep on building there too,” he said following the visit.
Umeozulu has since visited North Carolina and Texas while he originally planned to visit Georgia. The four-star prospect has previously said Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia and Maryland were the four schools recruiting him the hardest while both Pittsburgh and North Carolina will “definitely” receive an official visit. With much left up in the air in his recruitment, Maryland will work to remain in the thick of things as Brian Williams and Umeozulu maintain a strong relationship.
“It’s been a really good relationship. I can text him about anything, talk to him about anything so he just gives me really good advice in life. He gave me a book to read and talked about how the book helped him, how he changed some of his habits,” he said back in January.
Umeozulu has previously added he’ll look to make his commitment around either July or August.
Umeozulu is rated a four-star prospect and a 94 overall by On3, sitting as the top prospect in Maryland and 83rd-best nationally.